Eric, you are making the right choice, beleive me, your profile reads just like my last 20 / 30 years it seems like we've gone through the same steps. I had my surgery 11 months ago and I have a hard time beleiving the change I have gone through. I started at 336 pounds at 5' 8" tall, my BMI was over 51, today I weigh 204 pounds, unfortunatly the surgery doesn't make you any taller, I have lost 132 pounds and I've gone from a 62 x 30 pant size to a 38 x 30. I have lost a whole other person. You will feel great and you will look great in just one year. So once again, GREAT choice and best of luck with the surgery.